Craig Hogan is an award winning Irish dancer, actor, and choreographer from Cork, Ireland, whose growing career spans international stages, film, music videos, and creative collaborations in the United States and Europe. Recognized for his versatility and multidisciplinary approach to entertainment, Hogan has established himself as an emerging talent in the next generation of performers.
In 2025, Hogan was named Emerging Dance Artist of the Year at Dance Awards Ireland and gained recognition at Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood event. His accomplishments continued in 2026 when he received the Best Dancer award at the World Entertainment Awards in Los Angeles. His career has also attracted attention from publications including LA Weekly, OK! Magazine, Radar Online, and CorkBeo.
Beyond his work as a performer, Hogan has contributed to the industry as a choreographer, educator, and mentor, helping support aspiring artists while continuing to expand his own creative opportunities. With a growing presence in Los Angeles and a passion for artistic expression, Hogan remains focused on building a lasting career across dance, acting, and entertainment.
In this interview, Hogan shares his perspective on productivity, professional growth, networking, overcoming setbacks, and the importance of staying committed to one’s ambitions.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I believe productivity comes from finding a balance between working on projects and taking care of my physical and mental health. When I’m not working, I like to focus on activities such as going to the gym and meeting up with friends.
I find that taking time away from work and doing things that are good for my overall well-being actually makes me more productive. It’s not always about constantly working or being active on a project. Sometimes, stepping away and focusing on yourself is just as important.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I find that journaling helps me be more productive, particularly when it comes to writing down my tasks and organizing my thoughts.
Before I go to bed, I like to use the Notes app on my phone to write down everything I want to accomplish the following day. Having that list prepared in advance helps me stay on track and gives me a clear sense of direction when I wake up.
It’s a simple habit, but I’ve found that it makes a real difference in how I approach my day.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I think a lot of my ideas come to life through music. Music is one of my biggest sources of inspiration, and I find that it helps me turn the things I’m imagining into something real.
When I’m out for a walk listening to some of my favorite songs, my ideas naturally start coming together. It gives me the motivation and creative energy to actually do something with them.
I’ve always found music to be a really calm and safe space. I’m very much a pop and R&B person, although I also love a good bit of rap. Listening to music helps me think creatively and brings my ideas to life.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self not to rush things. It’s okay to feel behind sometimes because everyone is on a different journey, and comparing yourself to other people doesn’t always help.
I think the most important thing is to focus on yourself, work as hard as you can, and stay committed to your own goals.
There’s nothing wrong with comparing yourself to someone else if you’re using that comparison as motivation to improve. But when you start thinking that someone else is doing better than you or that you’re not where you should be, it can become really unhealthy for your mental health.
Having a goal in mind and consistently working toward it is what matters most. Everyone’s journey is different, and you have to trust your own timing.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I completely disagree with the idea that talent always beats connections.
You could be the most talented person in the world, but if you don’t have the opportunities or the right connections to pursue your career, it’s going to be a lot more difficult to succeed.
I’m not saying it’s impossible, but I have friends who are pursuing the same careers, goals, and aspirations as me, and some of them simply don’t have the connections to make those opportunities happen.
That’s why I always encourage people to speak with everyone and be kind to everyone. I’ve made so many amazing connections simply by being friendly and building genuine relationships with people, and those connections have helped me tremendously throughout my career.
Talent is obviously important, but I believe having the right people around you can make an enormous difference.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I would say never give up.
You’re going to fail hundreds of times throughout your journey. Nobody starts something and immediately succeeds at it, and I think it’s important to understand that failure is a natural part of getting better.
If you genuinely love what you do, there shouldn’t be a reason to stop pursuing it. You have to keep at it because repetition and experience will only help you improve.
I also think finding your passion is incredibly important. When you truly love what you’re doing, it becomes much easier to stay committed, even when things aren’t going your way.
I believe that if you love what you do and continue putting in the work, success will eventually follow.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I find that listening to music helps me a lot when I’m feeling overwhelmed or unfocused.
Sometimes I’ll listen to a podcast or something that allows me to distract my mind for a little while. Giving myself that mental break can make a big difference.
Going to the gym is another thing that really helps me. Physical activity gives me an opportunity to reset, clear my head, and get myself back on track.
Those are the things I’ve found work best for me when I need to regain my focus.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career? Please explain how.
I change my strategies all the time because I think you should always be trying new methods and finding different ways to advance your career.
One of the most powerful tools I’ve discovered is social media. I genuinely believe social media can help people advance in almost any industry, and it’s something I underestimated in the past.
I’ve had people reach out to me after seeing a video I’ve posted or an event I’ve attended through my social media. Those interactions have actually translated into professional opportunities because I’m continuously building an audience and putting my work in front of new people.
Someone once explained to me that when you’re creating videos for TikTok or Instagram, you’re essentially acting as your own producer, editor, and writer all at once.
You’re not just making a video. You’re developing an idea, producing the content, and editing the final result. In a way, you’re practicing many of the same creative skills that go into producing a much larger film, just on a smaller scale.
I think that’s an incredible way to develop your abilities while also increasing your visibility.
For me, social media has become one of the most effective ways to elevate my career and create new opportunities.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I would definitely say trusting too many people.
There are people out there who you genuinely believe have your best interests at heart, but unfortunately, that isn’t always the case.
I’ve learned that you need to be very cautious about who you allow to manage your career and make decisions on your behalf.
One of the best ways I’ve found to overcome that is by going all in on myself and becoming as independent as possible.
I’ve started doing much more of my work in-house rather than relying heavily on external management, and I’ve found that having that independence has really helped take my career to the next level.
I personally believe that having control over your own work is one of the most powerful things you can have, especially in an industry where creative freedom and ownership are so important.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that really excites me is seeing more international talent making their mark in the entertainment industry.
Even this year alone, we’ve seen so many international artists and performers gaining recognition through major awards such as the Emmys, Grammys, and Oscars.
I think it’s incredible because it shows that you don’t necessarily have to come from a particular place to achieve success in entertainment.
As someone pursuing opportunities internationally, I find it really inspiring to see people from different countries achieving their goals on such a large scale.
It shows that the American dream is still possible and that, with enough hard work and determination, anything can happen.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
For anyone looking to pursue a career in entertainment, I think the first thing you need to do is have an honest conversation with yourself about what you really want.
If you genuinely want something badly enough, you have to be willing to commit to it.
I knew from the age of 12 that entertainment was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I made that decision early on, and I knew I was going to go all in.
When it comes to expanding your career, one of my biggest recommendations is to widen your network and build strong relationships with people in your industry.
When you’re connected with people who are pursuing similar goals and receiving opportunities, it becomes easier to learn about and access those same kinds of opportunities yourself.
The number of jobs I’ve gotten simply through knowing people is honestly incredible.
I would encourage anyone to expand their network, build genuine industry relationships, and, most importantly, believe in themselves.
Believing in yourself is the number one thing you have to do if you want to succeed.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I would definitely say artificial intelligence.
I know AI can be a controversial topic, but I genuinely think it’s one of the best technologies we’ve ever had.
There are so many different ways to use it, and I find it incredibly helpful for everything from journaling and organizing my thoughts to coming up with new ideas.
For example, when I’m working on social media content, AI can help me brainstorm concepts, explore different creative directions, and even figure out what kinds of edits might work best.
I also find it useful on days when I’m not feeling particularly productive. You can use it to help organize your day, come up with things to work on, and find ways to make better use of your time.
AI is becoming part of so many industries now, and I think its potential is incredible.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I would probably say spending money on self-care.
I think taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do, whether that’s getting a massage, having a facial, or simply treating yourself to something relaxing.
I find that putting yourself in a calm, comfortable environment and taking time to unwind can be incredibly beneficial.
Another thing I would say is food. I really enjoy good food, and I find that it can bring a sense of comfort and happiness.
For me, spending money on things that make me feel good and help me relax is always worthwhile.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast (or both) from which you’ve gotten much value, and why?
One of my favorite books is Rich Dad Poor Dad.
I think it teaches you a lot about business and how to approach the financial side of your career.
Although the book isn’t directly related to entertainment, I believe many of its lessons can be applied to the industry.
At the end of the day, you want to be able to make money doing what you love. Nobody wants to be a struggling artist forever, and I think understanding the business side of your work is just as important as developing your creative abilities.
That’s why Rich Dad Poor Dad is one of my ultimate book recommendations.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Recently, I’ve actually been rewatching the series Unbelievable. I think it’s still very relatable in 2026, which is one of the reasons I’ve returned to it.
I’ve also been rewatching Adolescence. I know that series came out last year, but it’s still very popular, and it’s one that I’ve continued to enjoy.
Both are series I’ve found worth revisiting.